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Articles by Daisy Willis
Five Sangrias You Can't Miss in the Lehigh Valley
This summer punch of wine and fresh fruit is great for gatherings, for al fresco indulgence and for celebrating the abundant delights of the warmer months. Get a glass at one of these Valley spots. 500 Main St., Bethlehem | tapasonmain.com The sangria options at this Spanish eatery are so numerous that they support a “Three Gypsies” flight tasting.
Maximize and Organize Your Storage
Mandi Focht’s Lehigh Valley franchise of the Closet Factory, a national brand, has been in her family since 1999. Along with her parents, sister and the dogs that roam the office, she designs and oversees construction of custom closet systems that make organization inevitable in their clients’ homes. Here’s her insight on getting your house in order. If you’re planning to implement an organizational system, you want to make sure it’s encompassing only what you truly need.
Five Spring Walks and Hikes in the Lehigh Valley
The great outdoors welcomes us back in spring, when even 50-degree weather feels like a warm caress. From greenways within our cities to destination preserves beyond the fringes of the Valley, here are five spots to reconnect with nature as the flowers kick into bloom. karlstirnerartstrail.org This 1.75-mile length of path is a sculpture park winding between Easton’s Bushkill Creek and a stretch of Route 22.
Spring Wardrobe Refresh with Jessica Cadmus
As founder and stylist of Wardrobe Whisperer, Jessica Cadmus helps clients fall in love with themselves through a curated closet that balances personality, trends and flattering fit. Here’s how to take a page out of her book this spring to refresh your wardrobe and feel fabulous. “Everyone is starting in a different place,” Cadmus says.
5 Lehigh Valley Spots for Vintage Home Décor
The character and comfort of a few vintage pieces could be just what your space needs to tie it all together. Whether you’re looking to purchase or just love to peruse, these vintage home décor spots curate the best of our ancestors’ objects for another chance to be cherished.
Pickleball is for All Ages with Dr. John M. Hauth
The fastest-growing sport in America, pickleball is for all ages, easy to learn and addicting. St. Luke’s Dr. John M. Hauth, Senior Network Administrator for Sports Medicine Relationships, explains pickleball’s popularity and health benefits, especially for older folks looking to get or stay active. The game of pickleball was invented in the 1960s, but the number of players has ballooned in the past few years.
Networking as a Creative Entrepreneur with Carter McKinney
You’re not looking for a job per se; you’ve already made your own. But as an entrepreneur, hobnobbing with intention is a great way to get the word out, get inspired and build community with like-minded movers and shakers. Carter McKinney, CEO at McKinney Media and host of vibrant networking events, shares his best advice on the optimum mixer mindset.
5 Festive 5Ks for Fall
It feels great to balance feasting with fitness! Get into the community spirit and lace up your sneakers for a brisk walk or run with these five Turkey Trots and festive 5Ks! 1. LIGHTS IN THE PARKWAY 5K NOVEMBER 27 1680 Park Dr., Allentown | runlehighvalley.com Get an advance eyeful of the twinkling holiday lights to come with this 5K through the grounds of Lights in the Parkway’s dazzling display.
Hone Your Shopping Habits with Advice from Bubble Goods' Founder & CEO Jessica Young
Jessica Young Founder & CEO, Bubble Goods | bubblegoods.com Bubble Goods brings together foodstuffs from small producers pursuing their passion around the country to one online marketplace favoring few ingredients with no preservatives or refined sugar. Founder and CEO Jessica Young explains how to borrow Bubble Goods’ simple yet stringent standards to hone your own shopping habits.
5 CBD Shops to Visit in the Lehigh Valley
As it emerges from the shadows of stigma, the role of cannabis is evolving. Accentuating social gatherings for “Puff and Paint” events, mellowing your morning in a cup of coffee or soothing the sleepless, CBD and delta-8 are everywhere. Stop into one of these Valley shops to learn more and see what CBD can do for you. 1.
Order Bread Puddings & Beyond in the Lehigh Valley
Be it savory strata, succulent upside-down cake or sumptuously saturated tres leches, the crumb of bread and cake is transformed by permeation of flavor, awash in saucy enhancement, and very tasty indeed. Try one of these five for a fetching forkful. 1. Savory Breakfast Strata Jumbars Cafe 1342 Chelsea Ave., Bethlehem | 610.866.1660 | jumbars.com Sourcing their ingredients from local farms, Jumbars is a neighborhood joint in Bethlehem with an old-timey integrity and dishes that don’t miss.
Indulge in 5 Local Affogato Offerings
In a great affogato, sweet cool ice cream and hot espresso enhance each other in a distinct pairing of chilled cream and delightful, rich bitterness before melding into a third delicious entity you can sip. Here are five places to cool off and perk up with this Italian innovation from Kutztown to Easton. 1.
Summer Reads by Lehigh Valley Authors
Kick back with a cold drink and one of these page-turning pleasures from authors based in the Valley or very nearby! 1. The Duchess Takes a Lover by Jillian Eaton This prolific Bucks County writer pens romances with gown-clad ladies on the cover and magnetic chemistry inside. In the first of her Ladies of Seduction series, the disappointed Duchess of Southwick gives up on an absent husband and leaves her country house to find a lover in London.
Valley Wealth Alliance's Steve Redmond Talks Financial Literacy
Steve Redmond Founder, Valley Wealth Alliance valleywealthalliance.org Full participation in society relies on an understanding of the ins and outs of earning, saving and manipulating money, yet it’s inconsistently taught, especially among the already disadvantaged. To help level the playing field, Steve Redmond founded Valley Wealth Alliance (VWA), an Allentown-based nonprofit devoted to financial education. Here’s how this organization empowers and inspires youth through hands-on learning.
5 Lehigh Valley Arcades to Check Out
Relive the days when video games were something to be shared at these cloistered carnivals. 1. The Arcade Era 123 Palmer Park Mall Suite B3, Easton | 610.438.0255 | thearcadeera.com The second location for a Stroudsburg-based business, this arcade doubles up on nostalgia by being located in a mall, Palmer Park Mall nestled west of Easton proper.
Home Sweet Hotel: Rediscover Destinations on Your Doorstep
From historic landmarks to contemporary escapes, the Valley’s havens of hospitality are a patchwork of the area’s charms. Book a blast with live music and blackjack in the shadow of old Bethlehem Steel or whisk your sweetheart to a serene estate and meditate on a pond of meandering fish—the spectrum of staycations is at your fingertips. Sayre Mansion 250 Wyandotte St., Bethlehem | sayremansion.com In a field full of ancestral mansions turned boutique hotels, Sayre is one of the original players.
Prioritize Your Pet's Health with Tips from EarthWise Pet
Kelley Spellman Owner, EarthWise Pet Easton easton.earthwisepet.com We’re constantly rethinking our diets, so why leave out the smallest members of the household? Your dog or cat could benefit from fresher, healthier food options—Kelley Spellman of EarthWise Pet in Easton explains how. The EarthWise Way Spellman and her husband, Robert, didn’t intend to open a franchise when they started kicking around the idea of a pet store, but EarthWise Pet offered a unique wealth of resources.
Mezcal Cocktails in the Lehigh Valley
The powerful flavor of this agave-based spirit punches up cocktails across the Valley, blending with traditional Mexican mixers as well as unusual elixirs you’ll have to taste to understand. 1. Smoke = Fire Pennsylvania Rye Company 536 Hamilton St., Allentown | 484.929.2729 | paryeco.com Relatively new to Allentown, this upscale neighbor-hood joint is primarily whiskey-focused with a library of small-batch labels and ambitions to expand into a distillery.
Owner & CEO of KB Organizing, Kelly Belka Shares the Role Mindfulness Plays in Decluttering
Kelly Belka Owner & CEO, KB Organizing Company kborganizingcompany.com Spring cleaning goes deeper with KB Organizing Company’s evidence-based and streamlined take on decluttering. Clear your space, clear your head and harness the power of mindfulness to make your home your own again—not just a storage space for your stuff—with this simply sensible advice from owner Kelly Belka! A Bit About Belka “Some professionals say they were born this way, always organized,” Belka says.
Holistic Career Coach Lynn Mull's Advice for Getting Unstuck Mid-Career
Lynn Mull Holistic Career Coach | lynnmull.com | Instagram When you’re really stuck it can be hard to see where to go, even what direction to move in. Holistic career coach Lynn Mull uses her action-oriented knack for conjuring clarity to help clients swiftly discover their purpose and escape stagnation. This is her advice for breaking free. Mid-Career Mull works with clients who are in the high summer of their careers.
5 Green Drinks to Order This Spring
Whatever your favorite color, green’s got to be a contender in spring! Come alive like the plants and trees around us with a drink to match. 1. Kale Salad Smoothie Fuel Nutritional Smoothie Café 1245 Chestnut St. Suite 107, Emmaus | 610.657.3835 | Facebook Smoothies are a great vehicle for a punch of power provided by whey protein. At Fuel, tucked away in Emmaus by the stellar True Blue Mediterranean restaurant, smoothies come in rich meal-replacement or lighter fresh produce form.
5 Spots to Order Steak & Frites in the Lehigh Valley
Satisfying, succulent comfort food, steak and frites is a celebration of meat and potatoes that some consider Belgium’s national dish. Steak cooked to perfection and crisp, piping hot fries unabashedly take center stage. Find them at these Valley restaurants. 1. Union and Finch 1528 W. Union St., Allentown | 610.432.1522 | unionandfinch.com With upscale comfort food and a rewarding mixed drinks menu, Union & Finch is Allentown’s neighborhood bistro.
Bring Your Fitness into Focus with Evan Howard
Evan Howard Co-Founder, Forward Thinking Fitness, trainftf.com While endless harebrained treatments and biohacking strategies trend in pop culture, a free, accessible and proven activity has always been at our fingertips. “Exercise is the best and most underutilized longevity drug on the planet,” says Evan Howard, co-founder of Forward Thinking Fitness. Here’s his best advice on how to jumpstart your fitness for a longer, happier life.
Romantic Date Night Restaurants in the Lehigh Valley
Share a romantic evening any time of year with intimate atmosphere and incredible cuisine at these celebrated spots. 1. Tre Scalini 221 E. Broad St., Bethlehem | 610.419.1619 | trescalini.net Stray a few blocks east of Bethlehem’s Main Street to find this softly lit venue for fresh, flavorful pasta and Italian food. The menu is inspired by Chef Santo’s native Palermo, Sicily, and each bite a delight.
Just Married: Caroline & Jason's Wedding at Historic Hotel Bethlehem
Caroline + Jason Alison Conklin Photography Jason Borso and Caroline Dooley were both in her very first class at Moravian College, but didn’t connect until months after graduation. On Halloween of 2021, Jason posed as a trick-or-treater at the door and surprised Caroline with the treat of her life on one knee. They were married at the Old Chapel at the bottom of Bethlehem’s Main Street, the same street where they had their first date.
Just Married: Michelle & Aubry's Wedding at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts
Michelle + Aubry SGW Photography Michelle Foster and Aubry Cohen met at Kutztown University in a 3D Design class, where Michelle was instantly enamored with Aubry’s “edgy and mysterious” interests. The two proposed in unison on a Friday the 13th near Kutztown’s planetarium building, exchanging a Zelda-themed necklace from Aubry and a spaghetti and meatballs pin, tearfully, from Michelle.
Just Married: Brinda & Joseph's Wedding at The Club at Twin Lakes
Brinda + Joseph John Wirick Photography Brinda Vyas and Joseph Parker met at DeSales University in 2012. Almost a decade later, Joe took Brinda to the sparkling scene that is SteelStacks in winter and knelt to propose on the trestle overlooking Christkindlmarkt! Their wedding was a breathtaking blend of two cultures, Italian meets Indian, held at The Club at Twin Lakes on a beaming summer day with beautiful views.
5 Spa Treatments to Try in the Lehigh Valley
Our bodies do so much for us day in and day out. Give back with a little special attention at one of the Valley’s spas. These five options will have you relaxed, radiant and ready for more! 1. Lomi Lomi Massage Glasbern Inn 2141 Packhouse Rd., Fogelsville | 610.285.4723 | glasbern.com One of the Valley’s most luxurious weekend getaway destinations, the Glasbern Inn in Fogelsville transports guests to a scene of upscale rusticity complete with spa options.
Just Married: Rachael & Nana's Wedding at The Wilbur Mansion
Rachael + Nana Anthony Page Photography Though they shared mutual friends for years in high school, Rachael Okune and Nana Micah met only at the last possible moment when Rachael stayed after her own game to watch his final soccer match of the year. With an elaborate “Christmas party” ruse, Nana surprised Rachael with loved ones and a photographer poised to witness his proposal.
Just Married: Gabrielle & John's Wedding at Musikfest Café at SteelStacks
Gabrielle + John Brittany Boote Photography Gabrielle Gorman and John McGeary have been inseparable since their meeting in chemistry class at Emmaus High School. Getting engaged was a simple matter of mutual agreement, and they planned to share the event between a snowy wedding where they reside in Denver and a summer reception back in the Valley.
Just Married: Kristina & Elias's Wedding at The Palace Center
Kristina + Elias Jennifer Sofia Studios The Proposal Kristina Rosario and Elias Maalouf met the summer before college during a night out with friends, quickly becoming close. On a trip to Mexico together years later, Elias staged a massive marquee letter display strewn with rose petals to pop the question. Kristina caught the hint when she saw him take a knee.
Just Married: Sarah & Samuel's Wedding at Saucon Valley Country Club
Sarah + Samuel Ali Whitby Photography Bethlehem-born Sarah Callahan and Nashville native Samuel Bellet met in Dallas, Texas, on their first jobs out of college in the tech/consulting field.
Reset Your Productivity in 2024 with Tips from a Local Expert
Productivity isn’t just about making yourself useful. Certified Professional Organizer and Productivity Consultant Diane Albright wields her expertise to help clients create space for life and leisure as well as work. Here’s her advice on using organization to get things done and enjoy your downtime in the new year. Prioritize Your Happiness “I look at the new year differently than most people,” Albright says.
Use Astrology to Navigate Life with the Help of Local Astrologer Brielle Baker
The stars and planets winking at us from the heavens have always held sway over the human imagination. Nowthe ancient art of astrological divination has made a place in modern society as a way to explore self-knowledge and tune into a connection to the cosmos. Brielle Baker’s astrology practice, Light Space Collective, helps clients tapin; here’s how. The Beginning The global lull that was the COVID lockdown was fertile ground for the birth of Baker’s business.
Holiday Lights Within Driving Distance of the Lehigh Valley
In the dark depths of winter, few things stir the spirit like strands of glittering light, be they along boughs, dripping from eaves or wound into wonderful shapes. Once you’ve exhausted the Valley’s spangled offerings, consider venturing further on a winter’s night to one of these captivating displays. 1.
5 Fall Pies in the Lehigh Valley
Flaky crust, flavorful filling, artful accents—the perfect pie is no mean feat, and thankfully you don’t have to wrestle with pastry yourself. Leave it to the experts and bring one of these beauties to your next holiday feast for all the deliciousness and none of the fuss. 1.
Wendy Littner Thomson of Giving Grief a Voice Shares Advice for Coping This Holiday Season
Rife with expectations, social obligations and bittersweet reminders, the holidays are known for putting added stress on the grieving. Specializing in grief counseling, Wendy Littner Thomson, MEd, LPC, CIMHP, RYT, shares her insight on how to take care of ourselves and others when living with loss through the festive season. Respect the Complexity At its heart, whether in reaction to a death or a non-death loss, grief is a powerful stress response.
5 Pumpkin Patches Worth the Drive
Go long distance this year for fall fun outside the Valley. These five farms have been cultivating their pumpkin patches all season along with some autumnal attractions that offer more than just a jack-o’-lantern. 1. Hellerick’s Family Farm 5500 N. Easton Rd., Doylestown | 215.766.8388 | hellericksfarm.com Doylestown is a destination for its darling downtown, as well as the interesting and imposing Fonthill Castle and Mercer Museum, but there are also outdoor delights worth the drive.
Inside Herb & Board's Elevated Experiences
As restrictions have lifted and both therapeutic and recreational benefits have become more widely and gratefully known, more folks are choosing cannabis as a way to unwind. Dabble confidently with local service Herb & Board. Be it infused edibles, curated dining experiences or elevated wellness events like outdoor yoga, you’re in good hands. Owner Skye Greene explains her offerings. How It Started As with so many recent endeavors, we have the pandemic lockdown to thank for Herb & Board’s inception.
Consider Investing in Corporate Wellness Program at Life Advance Fitness
Winning workplaces support their employees’ well-being, knowing that a happy staff is invested in shared success. Wellness programs offered through the workplace have the potential to provide a perk with whole-life benefit, and with Emmaus’s Life Advance Fitness, participants open up a world of fun and functionality. Owner Vince Wimberly explains how the Life Advance Fitness’s Corporate Wellness program works, and why.
5 Ways to Experience Arts & Culture in the Valley this Fall
Thought-provoking theater, home-grown songwriters, visiting luminaries and an abundance of art are all found in the fabric of a culture-rich community like the Valley. Here are a few highlights this fall to make you feel entertained, enlightened and human. 1.
Belleville Market Brings People, Art & Commerce Together in Easton
The corner storefront on 3rd and Pine in Easton has moved through incarnations of antique shop over the years before stretching new wings as the butterfly that is the Belleville Market. Modeled on the Belleville neighborhood in Paris known for its outdoor markets and street art, this shopping experience is the work of Domaci Home’s Derrick and Warren Clark, who envision a one-stop shop for the perusal and purchase of unique gifts and goods.
Bailey DePew Talks About Her Natural Skincare Brand Bai-li Essentials
In youth, our wide-eyed aspirations may not include “natural deodorant entrepreneur,” per se, but what a world it would be if every ambition included the conscience and care that Bailey DePew brings to her brand. Here’s how her journey brought her to start Bai-li Essentials, kind to the planet and your pits.
5 Places to Do Brunch in the Lehigh Valley
Invented to uplift and nourish recovering carousers, brunch is a soft landing, a meal dedicated to relaxed revelry. Each of these options pulls out all the stops, offering unique menus that will have you and your brunch buddies loving life. 1. The Wilbur Mansion 201 Cherokee St., Bethlehem | 610.419.1101 | wilburmansion.com A stunning landmark in South Bethlehem for over 150 years, The Wilbur Mansion has been restored to luxuriance and began hosting a Sunday brunch in June.
Award-Winning Mixologist Neil Heimsoth Shares His Tips for Crafting Perfect Cocktails this Summer
Neil Heimsoth’s 15 years in the beverage industry include managing and directing cocktail capitals like The Bookstore Speakeasy and Notch Modern Kitchen & Bar. Now he’s taking to the open air with Bar H, a mobile bar backed by his family’s farmette. Become your own best bartender with his wisdom on concocting superb summer cocktails. The Sway of the Season The warm months invite us to rediscover freshness in cocktails.
Local Ways to Stock Up for the 4th of July
Summer celebration hits a high point for the Fourth of July, when grills are smoking, fireworks pop and picnic potlucks abound. Here are five local favorites for a star-spangled spread. 1. Hot Dogs Yocco’s Multiple area locations | yoccos.com For over a century the Valley has known the intense stare of the Hot Dog King and his equally noteworthy special secret chili sauce.
The Importance of Getting Outdoors with Afros in Nature
Outdoor recreation is a balm to the spirit, great for our health and ripe for reclamation by people of color, who have a long and uniquely complicated relationship with the wild. Afros in Nature seeks to provide not just a safe and supportive community, but the s’mores, sunsets, bikes and hikes that everyone should be able to enjoy. Outdoor Recreation Coordinator and Chairman of the Board Elizabeth Allen explains Afros in Nature’s mission for summer fun.
5 Beers to Drink While Celebrating with Dad this Father's Day
Whether you want to share quality time getting deep in cups and conversation at a brewery or pick up a new craft creation as a Father’s Day gift, here are five brews to please your pops this summer. 1. Piwo Grodziskie mccallcollectivebrewing.com The brewers at McCall Collective are tapping into less-remembered beers from the olden days, inspired by a love of history.
Dirty Martinis to Order in the Lehigh Valley
Lightly clouded with the briny tang of olive juice, the dirty martini is both smooth and savory, with just the right amount of salty goodness to awaken your taste buds. These five restaurants craft them with care. 1. The Dark & Dirty PA House 662 Front St., Hellertown | 484.851.6662 | thepahouse.com Hellertown’s PA House is the place to go for modern Italian, from limoncello cheesecake to wood-fired eggplant pizza, and they also have their own take on this classic cocktail.
Attachment Styles with Natalie Asayag, Owner of Renew Wellness & Psychotherapy
Attachment styles are all over pop culture right now: anxious, avoidant, secure. Have you diagnosed yourself yet? This psychological theory is a powerful tool in assessing where our relational patterns come from and how we can improve them. Natalie Asayag, MSW, LCSW, owner of Renew Wellness & Psychotherapy in Easton, has the basics for what attachment theory is and the role it plays in our lives. Latent Lessons We’re all born with an attachment system, our way of relating to others.
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